Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1875 — Repairing Farm Buildings. [ARTICLE]

Repairing Farm Buildings.

However particular we may be in the selection of the timber of which our buildings are constructed, or in employing first-class mechanics, it is nevertheless true that the necessary task of repairing will arise. Whether we cover our roofs with the choicest pine from the forests of Michigan or select something less expensive from our own farms, sooner or later new roofs are needed, but as a general rule they are neglected altogether too long. It is a burdensome tax to-buy shingles for the numerous farm buildings, and when the water begins to work through in here and there a place we are very apt to take an armful of shingles, go on the roof, patch the worst places and think it will shed water well enough for a year or two more. The year or two more is usually lengthened out into five or six years, and every season enough hUy and grain is destroyed to almost pay for a new roof. Two or three places over the hay mow where the water can run through drop by drop during every shower will often render tons of hay which went into the barn in good condition almost worthless for stock of any kind and more especially so for horses. Though as a general rule it is poor economy to use any but the best quality of shingle on a roof, yet rather than let it run two or three years until you feel a little better able to purchase first-class material, I would advise the use of something you can afford. Shingles sawed from good chestnut, cucumber and some other kinds of our forest trees make a very good roof, and for barns and other farm buildings can be made to last twenty or twenty-five years, at one-half the cost of the best quality of fine shingle. Haje them sawed several weeks before tfly are to be used, pack them up as loosely as possible so that they will season thoroughly, then two or three days previous to laying them dip each shingle separately in hot coal tar. Of course it is rather a disagreeable job, but it will pay well for the extra expense and trouble. Painting the upper surface of the shingle is often recommended, but if this is done each course should receive a coat of paint nearly the whole length. We have one roof thus protected that has been on several years and is likely to give good satisfaction; but it is more expensive, and as each course must be painted before the next is laid it is a slow process and is not as good when completed as the practice first recommended. Our farm buildings are usually Set near the ground, and* in consequence of this fault~the sills need replacing every few years. Get the sills out a year before they are to be put in place, pack them up so that they will ndt spring out of shape, and after they have become seasoned give them a good coat of hot coal, or gas tar. Then raise the building high enough so that the new- sills will be well up from the ground, and put up some kind of cheap eave-troughs to carry off the water. Throw no manure out against the side of the barn; be sure that the sill is perfectly protected about the doors, and this part of repairing need not occur as frequently as it now dbes.

One fruitful cause of rotten sills is the construction of driveways into our barns. The majority of farmers bank up with dirt to the bottom ot the sill and then lay down rails or something of like nature next to»the sill so that they can drive in loads more readily. They don’t intend to leave any rubbish against the sills, but chaff and dirt soon accumulate and cover the rails, water runs from the roof and keeps the chaff wet, and before we are aware of the fact the building needs resilling. .Don’t neglect such little matters and then growl about hard times. An hour or two spent in clearing away rubbish from your farm buildings this year will save you days of hard labor next season. — Ohio Farmer. '